Improvement in automatic gates



zsheets--sheep z H. N. BURNHAM., Autnmaic-late.

Patented Feb.-9,'1s75a W :TN

@MMM

THE GRAPHIC CD. PHBTO'LITHBI: 4| PARK PIACLLY.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFTCE.

HENRY N. BURNHAM, OF BUSHNELL, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN AUTOMATIC GATES.

' Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 159,641, dated February 9, 1875; application filed November 18, 1874.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY N. BURNHAM, of Bushnell, in the county of McDonough and in the State of Illinois, have invented certain new `and useful Improvements in Farm-Gates; and

do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective'view of my gate as closed, and Fig. 2 is a like view of the same opened.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The design of this invention is to increase the efficiency, durability, and ease of operation of a gate; and it consists in combining with a suspended longitudinal moving gate a pi-voted oscillating beam, constructed transversely in three sections, the inner one of which forms longitudinallya double incline, lowest at its center, and furnishes a bearing for the hangers of said gatesnbstantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In the annexed drawings, A and A represent a number of rails, which are connected together horizontally in parallel lines by means of two cross-bars, B and B, which are secured vertically across the ends of said rails, the whole forming a gate of ordinary construction. Attached to each side of the gate, near each lower corner, is a bar, C, which extends upward and inward to a point above the upper edge of said gate, and, in connection with a like bar upon the opposite side, furnishes a bearing for a grooved pulley, D, which pulley is pivoted between the upper ends of said bars, and turns in a vertical plane that is in line with said gate.

The gate thus constructed is intended to be suspended from and move longitudinally upon an elevated bearing,which latteris constructed as follows: Three bars, E, E, and E', are arranged in parallel lines, and at their ends are secured together in such a manner as to leave between their adjacent faces spaces, each somewhat greater in transverse dimensions than the like dimensions of one of the bars C. The central bar, E', from each end extends for a short distance inward, upward, and then downward in a curve, and from said curve to its longitudinal center extends in a straight line inward and slightly downward, as shown.

The beam thus constructed is pivoted at the center of its double incline between two posts,- F and F, so as to be capable of an oscillating motion in a vertical plane, and the gate described is suspended upon the central bar, Ef, its grooved pulleys D and D being caused to embrace the upper edge of said bar, and the bars G and Gto pass downward upon each side of the same.

As thus arranged it will be seen that by tilting sufciently the pivoted beam in either direction, the weight of the gate will cause the latter to move longitudinally toward the lowest end, and that by reversing the posi-` tion of said beam said gate will be caused to move in an opposite direction, its pulleys being caused to move down an inclined plane in each instance until they reach the center of said beam, when the momentum of said gate Will cause them to move over the remaining, substantially, horizontal portion of the center rail, and upon the curved portion at its end. The especial office performed by the curved ends of the central rail, E', is to check the motion of the gate as it nears the limit in either direction, and also to cause said gate to remain at such point in a state'of rest until the beam has been elevated at such end to or near the limit of its upward motion. The latter result is eii'ected by causing the outer roller to pass over said curved portion and remain upon the downward and outwardly-inclined face of the same. y

It will be seen that the momentum of the gate will be much greater when held in place until the rail E has acquired its greatest inclination, and then liberated, than would be practicable if said gate were permitted to commence its movement whenever the inclination of said rail was sufficient to overcome the inertia of said gate.

The gate is locked in position when opened or closed by means of a latch, G, which is pivoted to each end of the same in such a man ner as to enable its outer end to rise and fall withincertain limits. The outer hooked end of each latch Gr passes over and engages with a catch, H, which is suitably attached to a vvertical post, as the gate moves toward the same. When the gate is raised by the pivoted beam said latch is removed vertically from engagement with its catch, and offers no obstruction to the free movement of said gate.

The beam E is moved upon its pivotal bearings by means ofthe following-described mechanism: At one end of the beam E the gatepost F is extended upward and slotted, so as to permit said beam end to move freely therein in a vertical direction. To the upper end of the post F is secured a horizontal crossbar, I, which has a line at right angle to the movement of the gate, and has pivoted upon each end a lever, K, the inner end of which lever extends nearly to the center of said post, while its outer end extends outward to any desired distance. The inner end of each lever K is connected by means of a rod, k, with the contiguous end of the beam E, while to the outer end of said lever is attached a second rod, 7c', that extends downward within convenient reach of the hand of a person upon horseback or sitting Within a carriage.

As thus arranged, by depressing the outer end of either lever the gate will be caused to move away from its opening, while by raising said lever said gate will be returned again to place, said operation being readily performed by persons without dismounting from either horse or carriage.

Having thus fully set forth the nature and merits of my invention, what I claim as new 1s In combination with the gate A, A, B, and B, provided with the hangers C, C, D, and D, the pivoted oscillating beam E, E, and E', the inner rail of which, E', is at its upper edge formed upon a double incline that is lowest at its center and curved at its ends, and furnishes a bearing for said hangers, substantially as and for the purpose specied.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of November, 1874.

H. N. BURNHAM. Witnesses:

E. E. OHEsNEY, R. S. RANDALL. 

